Playstation 3 $100 Price Drop Bonus: Will This Re-Energize PS3 Sales?

[SPECIAL BONUS: Click on PS3 image below for Amazon's limited time Free Blu-ray movie & remote offer]

While news of Sony's struggle with Playstation 3 (PS3) sales is not news, the video game system is not going down without a fight. With a $100 price drop, the next-generation gaming platform provides a great value since it also provides many other home entertainment features including a Blu-ray disc player. Despite the Xbox 360 edging it out in sales and Nintendo Wii kicking its butt in home placements, the Playstation 3 now asserts itself as one the best price-per-feature values in the market.

NOTE: To get your free remote and Blu-ray movie, click on the image above and follow the instructions for the "PS3 Price Drop Bonus".

What was once thought as the deciding factor in the high-def disc battle, the Playstation 3's Blu-ray player appears to be a non-issue in the format war. With continued industry support and more movie studio releases, however, Blu-ray does appear to be a formittable force - and a growing trend in HD movie viewing. At $499, the 60GB Playstation 3 appears to be the best value for entry into the high-def disc player arena. Sony's new lower priced dedicated Blu-ray player (the BDP-S300) has a similar price tag, but lacks the gaming and other on-line interfacing that the PS3 provides. The PS3 provides opportunities for video chat, internet access, digital photo viewing, and digital audio and video. For those high-def enthusiasts, the PS3 provides true HD content as high as 1080p. You can't say that about Nintendo's Wii.

So why has the Playstation 3 not captured the market share it was hoping? Microsoft's Xbox 360 hit the market a year before the PS3 did, giving it a head start. Additionally, the online media content available for the PS3 has been criticized as being inferior compared to Xbox Live, the online content source for the XBox 360. Finally, even though the PS3's next generation games are available in stunning high definition, the unique motion sensing controller of Nintendo's Wii has seem to really capture people's hearts. The lack of HD content with Nintendo's system has not seemed to be an issue with many consumers.

Despite shortcomings, the price drop may generate the attention and excitement that Sony needs to re-energize Playstation 3 sales. Early indicators are that this effort is indeed successful. As you can see by the illustration at the right, the PS3 has lept above the Wii in Amazon.com's sales rank in the Video Games area. So, if you've been in the market for a video game system, but have been waiting for the right opportunity, now may be the time.